Jacob 1 - That We Might Persuade Them to Come Unto Christ I'm taking an online economics class right now, which prompted me to think of the definition of economics in the context of the scriptures. Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources. In the case of Nephi and his successor Jacob, the plates upon which they engraved their record was a scarce resource. They were costly to make and difficult to engrave, and instilling a tradition of passing them through generations was surely cumbersome. Recognizing the great importance of spiritual things and the challenge of maintaining records, Nephi instructed Jacob to prioritize religious instruction saying, " if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people" (Jacob 1:4). This priority was not only reflecte...
The voice of the Lord spoke to the Nephites a second time, but only after "there was silence in all the land for the space of many hours" (3 Nephi 10:2). The people were "astonished" and needed time to reflect on the miraculous event that had just occurred. After a pause in their mourning, Christ asked multiple times, "how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings" (3 Nephi 10:4, 5, 6). By repeating this phrase Christ emphasized His long-suffering nature, and the persistence of his mercy. His arms are always extended to receive the penitent.
The Nephites continued to mourn for three days of darkness, but eventually "the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer" (3 Nephi 10:10). I draw significance from the fact that they began to experience joy while they remained in the darkness. As is generally the case, our attitude and beliefs change before we see a transformation in the external world.
Lastly, Nephi testified to the future readers of this record that "many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ" (3 Nephi 10:15). He lists the prophets Zenos, Zenock, Jacob, and Lehi, and alludes to the imminent fulfillment of one of the greatest prophecies in the Book of Mormon: that Christ would personally visit the people of the American continent, minister to them, and establish His church.
"I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared ... did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them—Showing his body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an account of his ministry shall be given hereafter" (3 Nephi 10:18-19).
Application Questions
How is God reaching out to you to invite you to repent and come unto Him? What is holding you back?
Image Credit: Liz Lemon Swindle
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